The biggest news to come out of the All-Star break is the monster trade that was made between the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans. Demarcus Cousins was traded along with Omri Casspi for three players and two future draft picks. Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, and Langston Galloway will now play for Sacramento. Evans previously played for the Kings from 2009 to 2013.
If you’re looking at this trade and thinking, “What the hell happened?”, then you’re not alone. The Kings have made another poor decision in management, trading away their perennial All-Star for three average players and picks. With Cousins, the Pelicans will be much improved, meaning their pick will fall. Also, in order to make room for, the Kings are expected to waive Matt Barnes.
The Pelicans on the other hand now have the most dominant front court in the league. Having two big men that can stretch the floor and rebound make it a very dangerous combination. The Pelicans now have to add more depth to their back court to compensate for the three guards they got rid of. There are plenty of veterans out there right now that have been trying to get back in the league. Players like Nate Robinson and Mario Chalmers have both been created buzz around the league.
There is a lot of speculation as to why Sacramento would trade their star now, but it is justifiable. Cousins currently has the most technical fouls in the league, and is constantly butting heads with the refs and the Kings organization. When you’re stuck on a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 10 years, it makes sense he was frustrated.
Cousins will have to re-sign with the Pelicans at the end of the season, but league sources have spoken saying New Orleans is confident they will be able to do so. This could set up New Orleans for a resurgence in the basketball world, and could shake up the Western Conference.
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